Germany puts ballistic missile defence shield into service

"Germany's military put into service Wednesday the first part of a roughly $4 billion ballistic missile defence system, to better protect Europe at a time of high tensions with Russia. The Israeli-made Arrow system, developed with support from the United States, will form part of the broader European Sky Shield effort launched in the wake of Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which raised alarm over possible gaps in NATO's European air defences."

"The system is designed to shoot down long-range ballistic missiles that fly above the Earth's atmosphere. The system is made up of radar detection systems, launchers and arrays of interceptor missiles reportedly capable of hitting targets at altitudes of up to 100 kilometres (60 miles). An Israeli delegation joined German military officials at the Holzdorf air base in eastern Germany for a ceremony formally commissioning the first pieces of the Arrow 3 system."

Germany put into service the first portion of a roughly $4 billion Arrow 3 ballistic missile defence system to enhance protection for Europe amid heightened tensions with Russia. The Israeli-made system, developed with U.S. support, will be part of the European Sky Shield initiative launched after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine to address NATO air-defence gaps. Arrow 3 is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles above the atmosphere using radar detection, launchers and interceptor missiles with reach up to about 100 kilometres. Israeli and German officials commissioned the first elements at Holzdorf air base; further deployments are planned across Germany.

Read at The Local Germany